Jump stick



June 3, 1969 M H 3,447,801

JUMP STICK Filed Oct; 10. 1966 INVENTOF? GEOR E D.SM|TH FIG. 3. W I I United States Patent 1 3,447,801 Patented June 3, 1969 U.S. Cl. 272-74 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An amusement and exercising device which embodies a substantially horizontal jump stick removably connected to a substantially normally vertical operating stick which manipulated at its top end in a substantially circular path with its bottom end resting upon a hard surface will impart substantially rotating movement to the jump stick to provide both amusement and exercise for the user as he jumps over the jump stick at points in its scope of movement, together with a power development arm carried by the operating stick near its upper end to enhance the power administered to the operating stick by the user.

This invention relates to amusement or exercising devices and more particularly to a jump stick which embodies a simple, practical, economical and ingenious structure for moving or whirling a substantially horizontal stick or rod in a rotating path about an axis formed by a vertical rod or stem, which when manipulated by the user, will cause movement of the jump stick or rod in its rotary path at speeds regulated by the manipulation of the stem or rod.

The skip stick is supported a predetermined distance above the surface on which the lower end of the stem or vertical rod rests .and the purpose of its movement is to provide a moving object over which the operator jumps as it moves through its rotary path.

The invention provides a jump stick as specified which may be made in sizes to provide a skip the stick game for children for their amusement as well as strengthening their bodies by exercise and enhancing the coordination of the childs mind and body movements, and in larger sizes for adult use as an exerciser to strengthen muscles, firm parts of the body and for the reduction of weight.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of the jump stick.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the jump stick.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is .a fragmentary section taken on line 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the jump stick structure is supported when in use by the supporting stem or rod 1 which is round in cross section, and of any suitable diameter and length, depending upon whether it is to be used by adults or children.

The supporting stem 1 has knobs 2 and 3 on its ends which are preferably made of rubber or other semiresilient material. The knob 2 being of such material that while it may be firmly engaged by the hand of the user, will not irritate the hand and will also prevent slippage of the hand on the knob 2.

The knob 3 is made of semi-resilient material so that it will firmly grip the floor or other surface which it engages .and prevent slippage of the jump stick on such surface.

A power development arm 4 has an opening 5 near one end thereof through which the supporting stem 1 passes,

and this opening 5 is sufficiently large to permit the power development arm 4 to rotate in a path about the supporting stem as an axis.

A power transmitting .arm 6 is also mounted on the supporting stem .1 for movement in a rotary path about the stem 1 as an axis.

The power development arm 4 and the power transmitting arm 6 extend at right angles to the stem 1 and are horizontal. A connecting rod 8 connects the arms 4 and 6 for unitary movement. The connecting rod 8 extends parallel to the operating stem 1 and is connected at its lower end to the transmitting arm 6 and its upper end to the power development arm 4 so as to connect the arms 4 and 6 for unitary rotary movement relative to the stem 1, as well as to provide unitary movement of these arms along the stem.

The power transmitting arm 6 has a groove 9 cut in its under surface and extending inwardly from its outer end.

The skip stick 10 rests in this groove 9 and extends in a horizontal plane radially outward from the supporting stem 1 as clearly shown in FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings.

A spring clip 11 is attached to the under surface of the power transmitting arm 6 at its outer free end and this clip firmly grips the jump stick 10 and holds it in place during normal operation of the jump stick device, but will release the stick 10 should the operator accidentally step on the stick 10 during operation.

A collar 14 is rigidly mounted on the supporting stem 1 and limits the downward movement of the arms 4 and 6, as well as of the skip stick 10.

In operation the user places the supporting stem 1 in a vertical position, pressing the knob 3 on the lower end of the stem 1 firmly against the floor or other surface, then by moving the upper end of the stem 1 in a relatively small circular path, the power generating arm 4 Will be caused to rotate about the stem .1 as an axis and through its rigid connection with the power transmitting arm 6 cause the arm 6 to rotate or move in a rotary path about the stem 1 as an axis.

The movement of the arm 6 will be transmitted to the skip rod or stick 10 which will also move or whirl in a horizontal rotary path about the stem 1 and the operator will jump over the stick as it comes to the vicinity of his feet.

By varying the speed of movement of the upper end of the stem 1 the speed of movement of the jump stick 10 may be varied as desired.

The power generating arm is longer than the power transmitting arm 6 and it is carefully designed to provide the desired degree of centrifugal force to produce the desired movement of the skip rod or stick 10.

If it is so desired the power generating arm may be Weighted at its outer end in any suitable manner as by adding a metal weight 16 to it, if it is desired to increase its centrifugal force creating properties.

The skip stick or rod 10 may have a semi-resilient knob 18 mounted on its outer end if desired.

The stem 1, arms 4 and 6, rod 8 etc. may be made of wood, plastic, metal, or any suitable material.

While specific structures have been shown and described herein it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to such specific structures but only by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A jumping device comprising a supporting stem, power generating means including a first arm mounted for free rotation at substantially right angles to said stem and having a center of mass disposed eccentrically with respect to the axis of said stem, power transmitting means including a second arm mounted for free rotation about said stem, means disposing said second arm adjacent the lower end of the stern, means connecting said arms for unitary rotation about said stem and for supporting said first arm adjacent the uppermost end of the stern, and a jump rod attached to second .arm and at right angles to said stem, whereby rotary motion imparted to the uppermost end of the stem causes rotation of said first arm about the stem, which rotation is in turn imparted by said connecting means to said second arm and said jump rod.

2. A jumping device as claimed in claim 1, including spring means for detachably connecting the jumping rod to said second arm.

3. A jumping device as claimed in claim 1, including a semi nonskid knob mounted on the lower end of said stem for preventing slippage of the jumping device on its supporting surface during operation.

4 4. A jumping device as claimed in claim .1, wherein said means disposing said second arm adjacent the lower end of the stem comprises stop means mounted on the stem for limiting the downward sliding movement of said first and second arms on the stern.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,980,423 4/1961 Parkhurst 272--74 2,995,370 8/1961 Deskins 272-74 3,013,798 12/1961 Willoughby 272-74 3,182,999 5/1965 Undaw 27274 ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 465l 

